Iceland earthuakes weaker but volcano warning persists

Reykjavík: Seismic activity has eased in south-west Iceland, but a volcanic eruption is still expected, scientists say.

Although more than 500 earthquakes have hit the Reykjanes Peninsula since midnight, they have been weaker than over the past two days.

But experts stress a 15km-long (9 mile) river of magma running under the peninsula is still active, threatening the now-evacuated town of Grindavik, BBC news reported.

Most tremors have taken place under it and hundreds of people have fled.

Cracks have emerged on town roads as subsidence takes its toll on the area.

Grindavik is just 15km south of Keflavik International Airport, but flights are still arriving and departing as normal.

Travellers fear a possible repeat of the disruption caused in April 2010, when the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull erupted.

The resulting ash cloud brought chaos to the European air industry for a whole week, with more than 50,000 flights cancelled.

So far, however, no similar air pollution has occurred.